Finish or border for fabrics



(No Model.)

J. M. MERROW, FINISH OR-BORDER FOR FABRICS.

No. 553,536. Patented Jan. 28, 1896.

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EJNTTED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JOSEPH M. MERROWV, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT.

FINISH OR BORDER FOR FABRICS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 553,536, dated January 28, 1896.

Application filed October 23, 1893. Serial No. 488,944. (No specimens.)

To all whom, it may concern:

Be it known that I, JOSEPH M. MERRow, of Hartford, in the county of Hartford and State of Connecticut, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in an Open-Edge Finish or Border; and I do hereby declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part of this specification, and to the figures and letters of reference marked thereon.

This invention relates to a new and improved variety of open-edge finish, particularly adapted for application to the edges of elastic fabrics and well suited for use upon the rough or cut edges of fabrics and for the reception of a tape or ribbon, to be used as an addition for ornamental purposes or for controlling or limiting the fullness of said edge. Besides furnishing a fancy or ornamental lace trimming projecting beyond the edge of the fabric, it may also serve as a finish or oversea-ming for the edge of the fabric, such finishin g of the edge being efiected during the process of making the lace or open-edge work, as will hereinafter be explained.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a plan view illustrating the foundation-chain with the projecting loops or bars. Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive, illustrate different phases in the development of the new system of open-edge trimming, showing the incorporation of one or more supplemental threads with the foundation-chain.

Similar letters and numerals of reference in the several figures indicate the same parts.

A indicates the fabric or other material to which the ornamental edging is applied, be it a cord, braid, tape, woven or knitted fabric, or other material, and for convenience it will hereinafter be referred to as the fabric.

B designates what is herein denominated the foundation-chain, composed of a chain or series of connected stitches formed from one or more threads.

According to the present system a series of the stitches composing the foundation-chain are formed in or preferably around the edge of the fabric and running longitudinally thereof from, say, the point a to the point I). The enchaining or interlooping operation is continued beyond the point I), but outside the fabric, so that the latter is not engaged by or included Within the next series of connected stitches. After a chain of the desired length has thus been formed the loop 2 is completed by resuming the formation of stitches in the edge of the fabric at. or near the same place where it was before interrupted,when another series of stitches are formed along the edge of the fabric, to be followed by a series beyond the edge, and so on.

It will be observed that the foundation-chain B is composed of a connected series of stitches which are divided into alternate groups, the stitches composing one series of groups being applied successively along the edge of the fabric, as at l, and serving as a binding or over-edge finish therefor, while the stitches of the other series of groups extend laterally in the form of loops or doubled portions 2 whose ends are connected to the last of one group on the edge of the fabric and the first of the next succeeding group on the edge, the result being that practically the entire edge of the fabric is covered by the stitches of the foundation-chain, while at the same time integral portions of the chain are projected in the form of loops beyond the edge of the fabric.

In Fig. l the projecting loops are shown as connected to the edge of the fabric at the same point, and in the remaining figures they are shown as connected at points slightly separated, the interval being but slight andnot sufficient to uncover or leave unprotected any considerable portion of the edge. A simple and withal an ornamental finish may be produced by the aid of the foundation-chain B alone, as indicated in Fig. 1; but it is preferred and intended to produce a more ornamental effect by the introduction of one or more supplemental threads E into the stitches composing the loops or doubled portions 2 of the foundation-chain, as shown in Figs. 2 to 6, inclusive.

By the term supplemental thread is meant any flexible material be it in the form of a chain, thread, cord, braid, tape, ribbon, or other material.

The supplemental thread E may be introduced into the loops 2 at the outer extremity, as shown in Figs. 2, 5, and 6, or they may be introduced at a point or points intermediate the outer ends of the loops and the edge of the fabric, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. In

the one case the supplemental thread or threads will form the outer margin of the finish and in the other the ends of the loops projecting beyond the supplemental thread or threads will constitute the outer edge of the finish.

Referring particularly to Fig. 2, the supplemental thread E in the form of a chain is shown attached to the outer ends of the loops 2, and this is accomplished by throwing it into position to be engaged by one or more of the stitches of the foundation-chain composing the loops 2.

In Fig. 5 a second supplemental thread E is incorporated with supplemental thread E in the stitches at the ends of the loops 2, and in Fig. (3 a third supplemental thread, E is added.

Different effects may be produced by varying the length of supplemental thread between successive loops 2. Thus in Figs. 2, 3, and (3 the supplemental thread E is parallel with the edge of the fabric, and the supplemental threads E and E Figs. 5 and 6, are given a fullness, thus forming festoons of more or less extent between the outer ends of the loops 2 of the foundation-chain.

Pursuing the same scheme of adding a supplemental thread and connecting it to the fabric by means of the stitches comprising the loops 2 of the foundation-chain the points of attachment may be varied, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4, wherein the supplemental thread E crosses the loops 2 and is incorporated in or encircled by the stitches of the foundation-chain at two points in each loop 2. The effect produced is that of a row of stitches along the edge of the fabric, a thread extending longitudinally of the fabric but more or less remote therefrom, a series of cross-bars or columns composed of parallel chains connecting the supplemental thread to the edge of the fabric, and a series of loops extending beyond and connected to the supplemental thread, said loops being in fact integral portions of the foundation-chain.

The finish represented in Fig. 4 differs from that of Fig. 3 only in the addition of a second supplemental thread E. These finishes and others containing the essential features thereof can be produced by hand or by the use of suitable mechanism, and it is to be noted that but a single stitch forming or enchaining operation is required to be performed-that is, the production of the foundation-chain Bas the supplemental threads are not necessarily enchained and can be introduced at the desired points during the formation of the foundation-chain, which latter serves not alone as the medium for 0011- necting the finish to the fabric, but also as a finish or protection for the edge of the fabric. For some purposes, however, a more ornamental and desirable finish is formed when all the supplemental threads are enchained and similar in appearance, while in other cases the desired ornamental eifect can be produced by the use of threads of different color, size, material or construction.

The foundation-chain 13 may be made from one or more threads, and the looping or interlooping of said threads to form the con nected chain may be of any known variety, but I prefer to employ a single thread singly looped upon itself, both for overseaming the edge of the fabric and forming the chain beyond the edge.

Although the improved finish can be pro duced by hand, it is specially designed so that it can be manufactured by machinery, for which purpose a modified form of the machine forming the subject of my application, Serial No. 434,060, may be employed.

\Vhile I prefer the over-edge stitching, particularly when the finish is to be applied to or formed upon the cut edges of a fabric, it is obvious that the straight-ahead stitching may be made along the edge of the fabric where the foundation-chain is incorporated with said fabric intermediate the loops.

Having thus described myinvention, what I claim as new is 1. An ornamental finish or border for fabrics the same composed of a base or fabric and a foundation chain, the latter formed of a connected series of stitches applied longitudinally of the fabric and having portions or sections of the chain projecting in loop form beyond the edge of the fabric; substantially as described.

2. An ornamental border or open edge finish composed of a fabric, a foundation chain running longitudinally of the fabric and having sections of the chain, composed of connected stitches projecting in the form of loops beyond the edge of the fabric, and a supplemental thread or threads engaged within and held by the stitches of said loops beyond the edge of the fabric; substantially as described.

3. An ornamental border or open edge finish composed of a fabric, a foundation chain of stitches running longitudinally of the fabric, alternate series of the stitches being formed longitudinally of and engaging the fabric with intermediate integral portions of the chain projecting laterally in loop form ,and a supplemental thread or threads running longitudinally of the fabric and crossing the loops of the foundation chain, said supplemental thread or threads being secured to each loop by being included in some of the stitches of the loop; substantially as described.

JOSEPH M. MERROW. Vitnesses:

L. M. BENEDICT, IV. 0. GRAHAM. 

